Category: Tech News

Apple adds six new Zens chargers for the holiday season

Zens, the market leader in wireless charging, strengthens its partnership with Apple this holiday season with six new products. Building on the success of the Quattro Charger Pro 4 and 4-1 Wireless Charger, Zens continues to combine innovation, design, and ease of use in a way that resonates with Apple users worldwide.

In close collaboration with Apple, Zens introduces two innovative Charging Cables and a next-generation Magnetic Nightstand Charger, available globally via Apple and on zens.tech.

“We’re proud to expand our collaboration with Apple and introduce a gift collection that’s interesting for a broad audience,” says Johan Plasmans, CEO of Zens. “These are everyday practical essentials: beautifully designed, and made to fit right into the Apple experience. With a price range between €50 and €100, and available in clean white/silver or dark cherry, there’s something for everyone this holiday season.”

The gift collection includes:

Zens Charging Cable USB-C-C Pro 2: Designed to power your MacBook or iPad via USB-C while wirelessly charging your iPhone or AirPods at the same time. Ideal for daily use and a great gift for multitaskers who want fewer cables and more freedom.
Zens Charging Cable USB-C-C Pro 3: Foldable, compact, and travel-ready, this cable charges your MacBook or iPad via USB-C, iPhone or AirPods, and Apple Watch simultaneously. Made for Apple users who have it all.
Zens Magnetic Nightstand Charger: Next-generation bedside essential. With USB-C, braided cable and Apple StandBy support, it turns your iPhone into a smart alarm clock. A perfect gift for anyone with an iPhone 12 or newer.

All products are available from today via apple.com, in select Apple Stores worldwide, and as a pre-order on zens.tech (shipping end of November).

See our zens reviews 

 

WHOOP becomes first wearable to integrate lab results with continuous health data

WHOOP, the human performance company, today announced the launch of WHOOP Advanced Labs Uploads, now available to all members. The feature update enables members to upload prior lab results directly into the WHOOP app free of charge, creating a more comprehensive and connected view of their health. 

This announcement comes just weeks after the brand launched the Advanced Labs feature with an add-on subscription that provides clinician-reviewed bloodwork, powered by Quest Diagnostics. At launch, there was a waitlist of over 350,000 members and with today’s update that waitlist is now complete. 

While the in-person testing experience of WHOOP Advanced Labs is currently only available in the US, with Advanced Labs Uploads all WHOOP members, globally, can now link biomarkers from their existing lab work with their 24/7 WHOOP data, and unlock a deeper understanding of their long-term health trends. 

A More Complete Picture of Health
Members can upload their labs in any language — as a PDF or screenshot — and see their results alongside the continuous biometric data provided by WHOOP. The integration makes it easier than ever to keep all health results in one place, track progress over time, and gain insights that connect biomarkers to daily biometrics. 

Personalized Coaching on Your Biomarkers
When members upload labs that include any of the 65 biomarkers tested in WHOOP Advanced Labs, they’ll receive personalized, science-based AI coaching from the WHOOP Coach, to help interpret and act on the results. 

Included with Every Membership
Advanced Labs Uploads are available to all WHOOP members at no additional cost.

Of the update, Will Ahmed Founder and CEO of WHOOP said, “For the first time, our members can see how their blood biomarkers and daily behaviors connect in real time. This is all part of our path to becoming a health operating system that helps our members live better and longer.” 

For more information on WHOOP Advanced Labs and to start uploading your lab results, visit whoop.com/advanced-labs.

In-person testing will be available internationally in the coming months. See our WHOOP reviews

Tozi marks Anti-Bullying Week with social campaign to support young people online

Tozi, the anti-bullying and cyber-safety app developed by Vodafone Foundation, in collaboration with DCU Anti-Bullying Centre and the ISPCC, is marking Anti-Bullying Week (wc 10 November) with a new social media campaign: Supporting Young People in the Digital World.

The campaign aims to empower young people to recognise, respond to, and rise above bullying and is launched as recent ESRI research shows that 62% of 13-year-olds reported experiencing at least one bullying behaviour in the past three months, while one in ten Tozi users have activated the app’s SOS feature in the last year, connecting them directly to Childline via call or chat —demonstrating the importance of a trusted digital space and the need for quick, seamless access to support 24/7.

At the heart of the campaign is a short video featuring two girls exploring Tozi’s “Beat Bullying” module, sharing their thoughts on the app and how it helps them navigate online challenges with confidence.

Tozi:

In 2022, The Vodafone Ireland Foundation developed and launched Tozi, a free app to combat cyberbullying and promote online safety among children and young people. Since its launch, Tozi has had over 20,000 downloads, and is currently being rolled out across Europe following the Irish success.

It offers a content library with advice on handling online challenges, a private journaling space with a feeling’s tracker, and direct access to Childline through the SOS feature for 24/7 support.

The ESRI research also found that 37% of 13-year-olds faced repeated incidents, with online bullying and name-calling among the most common forms, while children targeted at age nine were more likely to be bullied again at age thirteen, underlining the need for early intervention.

Expert Perspective:
The Irish Girl Guides have been a Vodafone Foundation partner since 2023, working to provide lessons on digital skills to older people through the Hi Digital initiative. The Irish Girl Guides work closely with young people across Ireland and see firsthand the challenges girls face online. Their experience underscores the urgent need for resources like Tozi, which aims to empower and protect young people in the digital world.

Speaking on the growing issue of online bullying, Irish Girl Guides Tir na nÓg Leader and Programme and Training Commissioner, Róisín Mills, said:

“As a Leader with the Irish Girl Guides, I worry about the impact social media is having on the girls in my Unit. I see them becoming more disengaged, and I’ve witnessed the effects of online bullying and the pressure to present a perfect image. That’s why we run activities focused on body image, cyber-security, and smart surfing—giving our members the tools to stay safe and confident online. We’re realistic about phone use and guide the girls to use technology in a positive, informed way. Creating a safe space for these conversations is vital, and I believe it’s making a real difference.”

Tozi doesn’t just teach users what bullying is — it shows them how to stand up, speak out, and support each other in the moments that matter most.

Tozi is available for free download on the App Store and Google Play. Learn more at https://www.to-zi.com/

In Finland, smart collars and satellite positioning put every reindeer on the map

For some, Finland conjures up magical images of Lapland, the Northern Lights, Santa Claus and reindeer. Others know Finland as an innovative powerhouse of telecoms and digital technology. Now, a creative innovation from Elisa is bringing both these views together, utilising satellite-based positioning and smart technology to make the daily work of reindeer herders significantly easier and improve the animals’ welfare.

In Finland, reindeer are a normal part of life – a typical herd animal and an important source of livelihood for many people in the wild north of the country. A single reindeer farm can own hundreds of reindeer, which roam freely over vast areas across the frozen landscape in search of food. In the past, tracking their herds required farmers to travel long distances and to have a profound understanding of nature and the local conditions.

Now, Elisa has launched a reindeer tracking service developed in close collaboration with reindeer herders themselves. The system utilises the excellent coverage of Elisa’s mobile network and the Internet of Things to provide precise, real-time data about the location and welfare of each and every reindeer in a farmer’s herd, freeing up a significant amount of time for herders.

A simple yet sophisticated solution

The concept behind the service is simple: a collar with a positioning device is attached to the reindeer’s neck. The collar is designed so that it does not disturb the reindeer. Reindeer herders can monitor the movements and welfare of their herds via an app on their phone or computer, making it easy to follow where their animals are and making their work significantly easier.

“For example, rounding up reindeer from across the wilderness and sorting them or marking and tagging the calves has always been very time-consuming and laborious work. If you know the exact location of each individual reindeer, the work becomes considerably quicker and easier”, explains Markus Ahokangas, Elisa’s Regional Director for northern Finland. “Reindeer also sometimes get trapped in deep snow or by thin ice, and they can get injured by predators or road traffic. This system sends out alerts in real time if an animal’s situation changes, making it much easier for herders to rescue their animals. Without these devices, many of these animals would be trapped in the wilderness with little chance of help.”

Elisa provides the entire solution – positioning device, app and subscription – making it simple to acquire the system and roll it out across the herd.

Similar solutions have been tried before, but the new service takes advantage of the excellent coverage and connectivity of Elisa’s network, which is crucial in the challenging conditions that prevail in Lapland. As reindeer do not respect national borders and will wander between Finland, Norway and Sweden, the system has versatile map views that cover Finland’s neighbours as well.

Developed with reindeer herders to meet real-world needs in challenging conditions

The service has been developed through two years of close collaboration with around 20 reindeer herders in Finland, Sweden, and Norway in real usage environments – the fells, forests and wilderness of Lapland. The aim of the thorough development work was to meet the actual needs that reindeer farmers have, and the system is available to herders in Sweden and Norway as well.

“Our system utilises the latest technology and up to 130 positioning satellites to make sure that location tracking is accurate and extremely precise. Battery life was a core factor in the development of the system, and for example, herders can adjust how frequently the collars send updates to optimise the batteries’ power use and make sure they last throughout the season”, says Jale Naskali, who is responsible for IoT solutions at Elisa.

Reindeer herders have been enthusiastically signing up for the service since its launch in the autumn, with advance sales of hundreds of devices to dozens of customers.

“In Finland alone, there are around 6,000 reindeer herders with about 200,000 reindeer, so there’s a lot of room for growth. We are actively seeking feedback from users to help us in continuing to develop the service. We’re already planning changes and improvements to the map views based on what herders have told us”, says Ahokangas.

With real-time location tracking, reindeer herders can monitor their animals across the vast Arctic landscapes, improving safety and efficiency like never before. Now Santa will always know where Rudolph is.

TP-Link Omada launches updated software suite, revolutionising network planning, management and deployment

Omada, TP-Link Systems Inc.’s exclusive business solution brand, announces an elevated suite, including powerful upgrades to Omada Network 6.0, Omada App 5.0, Wi-Fi Navi App V1.5 and an all-new Omada Design Hub. These upgrades deliver a smarter, more integrated experience for MSPs, System Integrators, Installers, and everyday users. With end-to-end tools for planning, deployment, and management, Omada empowers businesses to build high performance networks with greater speed, precision, and reliability.

 Omada Network 6.0: New Intuitive Experience for Faster Troubleshooting and Precision Operations and Maintenance

At the heart of this release is Omada Network 6.0, a major upgrade designed to simplify and supercharge network operations. Built for professionals who are managing complex deployments, it delivers a new interface and enhanced interactions that make troubleshooting faster, monitoring more precise, and configuration more intuitive.

The redesigned dashboard features a five-tab layout, including Overview, Topology, Wi-Fi, Client, and Traffic, delivering richer visual insights. The newly designed interface and menus make the configuration and management experience smoother. New visualisations, like AP density maps and heatmaps helps IT teams understand user behaviour and deployment performance, at a glance.

A standout addition is the multi-level health scoring system, available in the cloud-based controller. It automatically evaluates the status of devices, clients, WLANs, and sites, enabling simplified monitoring and early detection of issues across multiple layers.

Smart Topology has also been upgraded with real-time VLAN visibility and disconnected device tracking. Customisable filters make it easier to locate faults and streamline troubleshooting. Enhanced client recognition now identifies device type, brand, and models automatically, while the new device and client page visualises activity timelines and event history for full lifecycle management.

Configuration is faster than ever with a simple three step VLAN setup and centralised bulk port management across switches. These improvements eliminate guesswork and reduce configuration time from hours to minutes, especially in large-scale deployments.

Omada Design Hub: A Free, Easy, and Intelligent Online Network Planning Tool

Integrated with Omada’s comprehensive solution, the Omada Design Hub is a free, cloud-based network planner, offering AI-powered precision at every stage of deployment. Whether you’re designing for offices, homes, hotels, or schools, Omada Design Hub helps you simulate, visualise, and deliver tailored solutions with confidence.

Users can upload floor plans, auto-detect walls, and instantly generate Wi-Fi heatmaps. The platform supports auto AP placement and cabling, including cross-floor connections, and one-click proposal exports with topology maps, device lists, and simulation results. It supports users to personalise reports for clients, speeding up communication and delivery.

Tools like bulk adjustments, editable equipment lists with pricing, and real-time topology updates make planning faster and more accurate. Adaptive spatial models and signal strength calculations ensure reliable coverage and installation-ready designs.

Omada App 5.0 and Wi-Fi Navi App 1.5: Mobile Tools for Network Management and Validation

The Omada App 5.0 complements Network 6.0 with a refreshed interface and smoother interactions, enabling remote monitoring and configuration with ease.

Meanwhile, the Omada Wi-Fi Navi App V1.5, a free networking troubleshooting tools, expands its toolkit for installers and administrators. New features include Wi-Fi Integrated Test, Walking Test, IP/Port Scanners, Public IP Lookup, and Bandwidth/PoE calculators. With iPerf2 support and improved scanning, it’s now easier than ever to validate deployments and resolve issues on-site.

From network planning to management, these upgrades mark a significant evolution in the Omada ecosystem, empowering users to plan smarter, deploy faster, and manage networks with greater precision and confidence.

Garmin wins five CES 2026 Innovation Awards

Garmin has announced it has been honoured with five CES 2026 Innovation Awards for groundbreaking achievements in technology across various categories. The CES Innovation Awards program, presented annually by the Consumer Technology Associations (CTA), recognised several Garmin smartwatches – the fēnix 8 Pro -MicroLED, Venu® 4 and Forerunner® 970 – along with the Blaze™ Equine Wellness System and the Descent™ S1 Diver Communication Buoy ahead of CES 2026. 

“These honours highlight Garmin’s ongoing commitment to redefine what is possible for consumers around the globe. From introducing the world’s first MicroLED smartwatch display to pioneering advancements in equine and dive technology and creating next-generation wellness and running smartwatches with innovative health and fitness features, Garmin continues to set the standard for innovation in consumer technology.”  

–Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing   

The award-winning Garmin products and their respective categories include: 

fēnix 8 Pro – MicroLED – Fashion Tech 

The brightest smartwatch ever, this multisport GPS smartwatch has a first-of-its-kind MicroLED display, plus it was the first smartwatch with inReach® technology for satellite and LTE connectivity1. 

Venu 4 – Digital Health 

To support overall well-being, this advanced smartwatch includes innovative features like health status, lifestyle logging and more to help users track trends and see how lifestyle choices affect their health. 

Forerunner 970 – Sports & Fitness 

This premium GPS running and triathlon smartwatch features a bright AMOLED display, built-in LED flashlight and enhanced navigation plus advanced training and recovery features. 

Blaze Equine Wellness System – Pet & Animal Tech 

Designed specifically for horses, this easy-to-use tail wrap and sensor gives riders and trainers real-time insights and data, including heart rate, into their horse’s health and fitness.

Descent S1 Buoy – Sports & Fitness 

Track, monitor and communicate with those above and below the surface with the revolutionary Descent S1 buoy that helps strengthen diver communication and advances dive safety technology.  

CES 2026 will take place Jan. 6-9 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Garmin will showcase these products and much more in booth #3453 in the LVCC West Hall.

TOZO HT3 Headphones – Where Innovation Meets Affordability

TOZO, a leading innovator in smart audio technology announces its highly anticipated TOZO HT3 over-ear headphones. Designed for discerning listeners and modern professionals alike, the HT3 combines premium Hi-Res audio performance, next-generation connectivity, and intelligent AI-powered functions into one sophisticated package at the affordable price of £49.99

Immersive Sound Meets Superior Craftsmanship. 

The TOZO HT3 elevates everyday listening with a host of cutting-edge features:

  1. Premium Hi-Res Audio: Certified for Hi-Res Audio and finely tuned with TOZO’s exclusive OrigX Acoustics, HT3 delivers exceptional clarity and lifelike sound quality.
  2. SDLC Dynamic Driver: Featuring Super Diamond-Like Carbon diaphragms, the headphones reproduce crisp highs, natural mids, and deep, resonant bass for a truly balanced audio profile.
  3. 360° Spatial Audio: Creates an immersive surround sound experience that makes every track feel like a live performance.

Smart Performance and Long-Lasting Comfort

  1. Adaptive Noise Cancelling up to -45dB: The HT3’s Smart ANC technology dynamically adjusts to environmental noise levels, offering deep and effective noise reduction for uninterrupted focus.
  2. Bluetooth 6.0: Provides faster transmission, improved stability, and energy-efficient wireless connectivity.
  3. 90 Hours of Playtime: Equipped with a robust 500mAh battery, the HT3 delivers long-lasting entertainment, ideal for extended travel and everyday listening.

AI-Powered Productivity Tools

Beyond audio, the TOZO HT3 integrates AI-driven features that redefine what headphones can do. Users can seamlessly boost productivity with:

  1. Meeting Minutes: Automatic note-taking for meetings.
  2. Instant Translation: Break language barriers in real-time.
  3. Face-to-Face Translation: Smooth communication across multiple languages.
  4. AI Chat: A personal AI assistant, always available at your fingertips.

A New Standard in Smart Audio

With the official launch of the HT3, TOZO reinforces its mission to merge superior sound with intelligent technology, delivering products that enrich both work and leisure. This release marks another milestone in TOZO’s innovation journey, offering consumers headphones that are not just for listening, but for living smarter.

Price & Availability:

The TOZO HT3 is available e from Amazon. RRP £49.99

See our TOZO reviews

Jabra Expands Meeting Room Portfolio with Jabra Scheduler

Jabra, a world leader in professional audio and video solutions, today announced the launch of the Jabra Scheduler, a touchscreen scheduling panel that displays meeting room availability and allows users to reserve spaces directly at the room or through their digital calendars. The panel simplifies scheduling by making it easier to find available spaces, prevent double bookings and deliver a seamless experience across Jabra’s meeting room solutions. Made from more than 50% recycled materials, the panel also supports more sustainable manufacturing practices. The Jabra Scheduler will be globally available on November 17, 2025.

A Complete End-to-End Solution

The Jabra Scheduler works seamlessly with both Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms, making it easy to pre-book meetings through a digital calendar or reserve a space directly at the room. Once synced, upcoming meetings appear in real-time on the interactive touchscreen display, showing exactly how long each room will remain available. LED indicators clearly signal whether a space is free or in use, helping reduce interruptions and keep meetings running smoothly.

In addition to complementing Jabra’s audio and video portfolio, the Jabra Scheduler can also be used in environments and rooms that don’t currently feature Jabra devices. This flexibility allows organisations to standardise their scheduling experience across all meeting spaces while still benefiting from Jabra’s high-quality hardware design and integration with leading platforms.

The Right Room for Every Meeting

The Jabra Scheduler makes it easier for employees to quickly find the space that best suits their meeting needs. Its clear touchscreen display shows real-time room availability, helping users see whether a room is available and for how long, reducing interruptions and last-minute confusion.

  • Book ad hoc with confidence: Instantly check if a room is available for the full duration of your meeting.
  • See availability at a glance: The high-contrast display and LED indicators make it easy to spot open rooms.
  • Simplify everyday workflows: Pre-book or reserve on the spot to save time and keep meetings on schedule.

By making it easy to match meeting needs with the right room, organisations can reduce wasted time, avoid double bookings and improve overall meeting efficiency.

Fast, Reliable Deployment

The Jabra Scheduler is designed for quick setup at scale. With integrated cable management, the panel connects directly via a category cable, making installation straightforward once power is in place. It also offers several flexible mounting options, including flat on the wall, angled wall mount, mullion mount or glass, with all hardware included in the box to streamline deployment and minimise complexity.

Devices can be centrally managed through Jabra+, enabling organisations to provision, monitor and update schedulers across multiple locations.

Holger Reisinger, SVP Enterprise Video Business Unit at Jabra, said, “The Jabra Scheduler marks an important expansion of our video and collaboration portfolio, introducing a new product category that completes our meeting room offering. With industry-leading video, professional audio and now intuitive room scheduling, Jabra delivers the full meeting experience from one trusted provider, making it simpler for organisations to deploy, manage and collaborate seamlessly across every space.”

Key Benefits

  • Instant room status – Lightbar and on-screen schedule for quick availability checks.
  • Reliable deployment – Wired connection with easy cable management and plug-and-play setup.
  • Remote-friendly – Spaces can be booked in advance, on-site or off-site.
  • End-to-end integration – Complements Jabra PanaCast portfolio, Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms.

The Jabra Scheduler will be available at an MSRP of £610.

Learn more at: www.jabra.com/jabra-scheduler

See our Jabra Reviews

Hibernia College becomes first European university to join global alliance for digital innovation in teacher education

Hibernia College, Ireland’s largest provider of teachers, today announced it has joined the Alliance for Innovation in Teacher Education, becoming the first European institution to join the international partnership. As an Alliance member, Hibernia College will equip its 2,500 student teachers with the practical technology skills required for modern classrooms. The Alliance brings together the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), as well as other leading higher education organisations with the shared goal of transforming how universities prepare educators for digitally enhanced learning environments.

Hibernia College will integrate the ISTE Standards across its Professional Master’s of Education programme and develop professional credentials that allow teacher candidates to demonstrate proficiency in the effective use of technology for learning. The College’s 600 adjunct faculty – all practising teachers – will also benefit from access to new professional development opportunities through the Alliance.

ISTE+ASCD is run by Richard Culatta, a former advisor to President Barack Obama who served as Executive Director of the Office of Educational Technology for the US Department of Education. Mr Culatta also served as the Chief Innovation Officer for his home state of Rhode Island.

ISTE merged with ASCD in 2023 to form a nonprofit that creates standards for using technology in education. ISTE+ASCD is the leading provider of teacher training and thought leadership around the use of AI in education in the United States.

Dr. Mary Kelly, Academic Dean of Hibernia College, said: “Joining the ISTE+ASCD Alliance for Innovation in Teacher Education reflects Hibernia College’s ongoing commitment to excellence in teacher education. By embedding the ISTE Standards throughout our programmes, we will ensure future teachers are prepared to create meaningful and engaging learning experiences for all students.”

Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE+ASCD, said: “Knowing how to use technology to support student learning is an essential skill for any teacher to excel. We are thrilled that Hibernia College is committed to embedding tech skills into their programme so that all of their teacher candidates will be prepared to hit the ground running.”

By joining the Alliance, Hibernia College joins over 140 institutions worldwide committed to preparing teachers to thrive in digital learning environments, using technology to support ongoing professional development by implementing the ISTE Standards. This partnership will empower the College’s faculty to further develop their expertise in educational technology and foster collaboration with school leaders to define and advance shared digital teaching competencies.